Our guide
to aged care
Everything you need to be informed without feeling overwhelmed when choosing a new home
We aim to make the journey a seamless transition during what can be a stressful time
Commonly asked questions
What services and support are provided in permanent aged care?
Permanent aged care offers a range of services, including personal care, nursing support, medication management, meals, housekeeping, and access to recreational activities and social events.
How do I know if permanent aged care is suitable for me or my loved one?
Assessing the need for permanent aged care involves considering factors such as the individual's health condition, level of mobility, and ability to live independently. Consulting with healthcare professionals and conducting an aged care assessment can help determine suitability.
What is permanent aged care?
Permanent aged care refers to long-term residential care provided to seniors who require ongoing support and assistance with their daily activities and healthcare needs.
Annual and lifetime caps in Means-tested fee?
There are annual and lifetime caps that apply to the means-tested care fee. Once you reach a cap, you cannot be asked to pay any more in means-tested care fees.
Annual and lifetime caps are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year. The cap amounts that apply to you are those that are current when you reach them, not those that were current when you entered care.
The maximum an aged care home can charge you as of 1 October 2022 is:
- $ 31,706.85 per year, or
- $ 76,096.50 in a lifetime.
Note: Any income-tested care fee you paid while you were receiving home care will also be counted towards the annual and lifetime caps if you move into an aged care home.
When should I get a means assessment?
Most people should complete their assessment after they have been assessed for an aged care home and before they have entered care. However, if you want to understand your costs upfront, you can complete your means assessment earlier.
How do I know if I need to pay a means-tested care fee?
There is a link to the My Aged Care website fee estimator to find out if you need to pay a means-tested care fee and get an estimate of what the amount might be.
If you do have to pay a means-tested care fee, you may need to complete a means assessment to find out the exact amount. Read more about means assessments and find out if you need to complete one using our Income and means assessments tool.
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